Back Pin Hair Fashioning Device

ABSTRACT

The presently disclosed embodiments, as well as features and aspects thereof, are directed towards a back pin hair fashioning device comprised of a lower prong and an upper prong joined by a hinge aspect. The lower prong may comprise a smooth length that defines a curve which approximates the curve of a user&#39;s head. The upper prong may comprise a plurality of undulations defined by a series of peaks and valleys and, overall, defines a curve that has a radius that is substantially equivalent to the radius of the curve defined by the lower prong. The overall length of the back pin hair fashioning device may be approximately 80 mm. When inserted into a user&#39;s hair, portions of the hair are captured in the spaces defined by the undulations. Advantageously, after insertion, a single back pin hair fashioning device may maintain and secure a hairstyle desired by the user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to, the U.S. design patent application entitled “HAIR PIN,” filed on Oct. 15, 2012 and assigned application Ser. No. 29/434,573, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

A bobby pin (also known as a kirby) is a type of hairpin that includes a pair of complimentary prongs, usually constructed from metal or plastic. Some bobby pins known in the art include a wavy prong while others include a pair of smooth, curved prongs. Bobby pins known in the art are small, double-pronged clips that slide into hair with the prongs open. Once in place, the flexible prongs return to their relaxed state and close over the hair to hold it in place.

The use of a bobby pin is usually to hold a small portion of hair in place. To hold larger volumes of hair into a style, such as a flyway, hair bun or French twist, multiple bobby pins must be used together. To install an individual bobby pin, a small portion of hair is positioned and then the bobby pin is pushed through the hair portion (wavy side down, if the bobby pin includes a wavy prong) such that the hair is held in the position by the bobby pin.

Due to their size and construction, however, a single bobby pin is inadequate for holding a large volume of hair in place to create a hair style in the form of a bun, “up-do”, French twist, or the like. Therefore, there is a need in the art for a single back pin hair fashioning device of a size suitable for holding a large volume of hair into a certain hair style. Further, there is a need in the art for a single back pin hair fashioning device that combines a curved, wavy prong with a curved, smooth prong such that the device approximates the curve of a user's head and is comfortable to wear.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The presently disclosed embodiments, as well as features and aspects thereof, are directed towards a back pin hair fashioning device comprised of a lower prong and an upper prong joined by a hinge aspect. The lower prong may comprise a smooth length that defines a curve which approximates the curve of a user's head. The upper prong may comprise a plurality of undulations defined by a series of peaks and valleys and, overall, defines a curve that has a radius that is substantially equivalent to the radius of the curve defined by the lower prong. The overall length of the back pin hair fashioning device may be in a range from 60 millimeters (“mm”) to 100 mm, with a preferred length being approximately 80 mm.

The peaks of the undulations in the upper prong operate to define a series of spaces above the lower prong and each having a height in a range from 2 mm to 10 mm, with a preferred height being approximately 5 mm. The distance between a pair of valleys in the upper prong undulations may be in a range of 5 mm to 25 mm, with a preferred distance being approximately 15 mm.

Notably, when the back pin hair fashioning device is translated from a relaxed state to an expanded state, a gap is defined between the lower prong and a valley of the upper prong that has a height which may be in a range from 5 mm to 25 mm, with a preferred height being approximately 15 mm.

When expanded, even slightly expanded, a back pin hair fashioning device may be inserted into a user's hair such that portions of the hair are captured in the spaces defined by the undulations. Advantageously, after insertion, a single back pin hair fashioning device may maintain and secure a hair style desired by the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

In the Figures, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise indicated. For reference numerals with letter character designations such as “102A” or “102B”, the letter character designations may differentiate two like parts or elements present in the same Figure. Letter character designations for reference numerals may be omitted when it is intended that a reference numeral encompass all parts having the same reference numeral in all Figures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a back pin hair fashioning device;

FIGS. 2A and 2B depict the back pin hair fashioning device of FIG. 1 in a relaxed state and an expanded state, respectively;

FIG. 2C depicts the cross-section of the exemplary back pin hair fashioning device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary application of the back pin hair fashioning device of FIG. 1 for the support of French twist hairstyle;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary application of the back pin hair fashioning device of FIG. 1 for the support of a “side swoop” hairstyle; and

FIG. 5 depicts the mechanical interface of a user's hair with the back pin hair fashioning device of FIG. 1 when applied to support an exemplary hairstyle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects, features and advantages of an exemplary embodiment of a back pin hair fashioning device will become better understood with regard to the following description in connection with the accompanying drawing(s). It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the described embodiment of the back pin hair fashioning device provided herein is illustrative only and not limiting, having been presented by way of example only. All features disclosed in this description may be replaced by alternative features serving the same or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Therefore, numerous other embodiments of the modifications thereof are contemplated as falling within the scope of a back pin hair fashioning device as defined herein and equivalents thereto. Hence, use of absolute terms such as, for example, “will,” “will not,” “shall,” “shall not,” “must” and “must not” are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention as the embodiments disclosed herein is merely exemplary.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as exclusive, preferred or advantageous over other aspects.

In this description, the term “application” refers to the use of a back pin hair fashioning device to provide for, effect, maintain and/or support a given hair style. Notably, although a few exemplary hair styles are depicted in the drawings, a back pin hair fashioning device is not necessarily limited to such applications. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the hair styles and applications shown and described herein are offered for illustrative purposes only and do not suggest that the use of a back pin hair fashioning device is limited to such applications.

Turning now to FIG. 1, perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a back pin hair fashioning device 100 is shown. As can be seen in the FIG. 1 illustration, a pair of prongs 105, 110 are joined by a hinge aspect 115. Lower prong 110 is smooth and curved, having a radius that substantially approximates the curvature of a user's head, as would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art. Upper prong 105 contains a plurality of undulations defined by a series of peaks 120 and valleys 121. Both prongs 105, 110 are “ball-tipped” to make application easy and comfortable, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

It is envisioned that the back pin hair fashioning device 100 may be constructed from materials including, but not limited to, carbon steel, stainless steel, plastic, etc. Certain embodiments may also be coated with a rubber compound, epoxy paint, power-coat paint, decorative sleeve, elastic, etc. Further, certain embodiments may include decorative accessories such as, but not limited to, ribbons, charms, hair weaves and the like.

FIGS. 2A and 2B depict the back pin hair fashioning device 100 of FIG. 1 in a relaxed state and an expanded state, respectively. As can be seen in the FIG. 2 illustrations, the exemplary back pin hair fashioning device 100 is approximately 80 millimeters long, with preferred embodiments ranging in length from 60 millimeters to 100 millimeters although other lengths are envisioned. The upper prong 105 and the lower prong 110 are joined by a hinge aspect in the form of an elbow that is approximately 15 millimeters in diameter, with preferred embodiments having a hinge aspect ranging in diameter from 10 millimeters to 20 millimeters although other diameters are envisioned. The undulations of the upper prong 105 are approximately 15 millimeters wide, from valley 121 to valley 121, with preferred embodiments having undulations ranging in width from 5 millimeters to 25 millimeters although other widths are envisioned. When the back pin hair fashioning device 100 is in a relaxed state (FIG. 2A), the inside height of each undulation is approximately 5 millimeters from the upper surface of the lower prong 110 to the underside surface of each peak 120, with preferred embodiments having undulations ranging in height from 2 millimeters to 10 millimeters although other heights are envisioned.

Notably, when in the relaxed state (FIG. 2A), one or more of the valleys 121 of the undulations in the upper prong 105 may be in contact with the lower prong 110. In the expanded state (FIG. 2B), however, the exemplary back pin hair fashioning device 100 is ready to receive a user's hair and may be expanded such that the distance between a given valley 121 of an undulation on the upper prong 105 and the lower prong 110 is approximately 15 millimeters, with preferred embodiments having an expanded distance between a valley 121 and the lower prong 110 ranging in height from 5 millimeters to 25 millimeters although other heights are envisioned.

Referring to FIG. 2C, a cross-section of the exemplary back pin hair fashioning device of FIG. 1 is depicted. In the FIG. 2C illustration, it can be seen that the cross-section of the material that forms the prongs 105, 110 and hinge aspect 115 is generally in the form of a rectangle having a height of approximately 0.06 inches (˜1.5 millimeters) and a width of approximately 0.125 inches (˜3.175 millimeters) with preferred embodiments having a cross-section with heights ranging from 0.5 millimeters to 2.5 millimeters and widths ranging from 2 millimeters to 10 millimeters although other heights and widths are envisioned.

Turning now to FIG. 3, illustrated is an exemplary application of the back pin hair fashioning device 100 for maintenance and support of a French twist hairstyle. As can be seen in the FIG. 3 illustration, the user's hair has been formed into a French twist prior to receiving the back pin hair fashioning device 100. Notably, once inserted per the application, the smooth and curved lower prong 110 which approximates the curve of the user's head will comfortably lie along the user's scalp. Simultaneously, the undulating or wavy upper prong 105 will reside within the user's hair, securely trapping portions of the user's hair in the gaps defined by the undulations. Advantageously, once inserted, the back pin hair fashioning device 100 will secure and maintain the user's hair in the French twist design. Notably, it is a further advantage of the back pin hair fashioning device 100 that, once inserted into the user's hair, the single back pin hair fashioning device 100 may be substantially, if not completely, concealed by the user's hair.

FIG. 4 illustrates the use of a back pin hair fashioning device 100 in a “side swoop” hairstyle. Similar to that which is described above relative to FIG. 3, the back pin 100 is inserted through the user's hair which has been preformed into the side swoop design. As one of ordinary skill in the art would understand, the back pin hair fashioning device 100 may be expanded (see FIG. 2B) so that the user's hair which forms the side swoop is received into the back pin hair fashioning device 100 between the upper and lower prongs 105, 110. Once fully inserted, the back pin hair fashioning device 100 returns to its relaxed state, or near relaxed state, (see FIG. 2A) advantageously securing the user's hair within the spaces defined by the undulations. In this way, the single back pin hair fashioning device 100 is sized such that the exemplary hair style is secured and maintained without need for a plurality of hair fashioning devices.

FIG. 5 depicts the mechanical interface of a user's hair 505 with the back pin hair fashioning device of FIG. 1 when applied to support an exemplary hairstyle, such as but not limited to the hairstyles and applications illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. As can be seen in the FIG. 5 illustration, portions of the user's hair 505 are captured in the spaces defined by the undulations of peaks 120 and valleys 121. The hair 505 is received into the back pin hair fashioning device 100 when it is expanded (see FIG. 2B) and inserted through the user's hair. Once in place, the back pin hair fashioning device is allowed to seek its relaxed state (see FIG. 2A), thereby capturing and securing the user's hair 505 within the gaps defined by and between the peaks 120 and valleys 121. Notably, as can be seen in the FIG. 5 illustration, a portion of hair 505A may be captured within, and secured in place by, a gap generally defined by the hinge aspect 115.

A back pin hair fashioning device and associated methods of its use have been described using detailed descriptions of embodiments thereof that are provided by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The described embodiments may comprise different features, not all of which are required in all embodiments of a back pin hair fashioning device. Some embodiments of a back pin hair fashioning device utilize only some of the features or possible combinations of the features. Variations of embodiments of a back pin hair fashioning device that are described and embodiments of a back pin hair fashioning device comprising different combinations of features noted in the described embodiments will occur to persons of the art.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that a back pin hair fashioning device, or its applications, is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described herein above. Rather, the scope of a back pin hair fashioning device is defined by the claims that follow. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A back pin hair fashioning device comprising: a lower prong comprising a smooth length and defining a curve, wherein the curve approximates the curve of a user's head; an upper prong comprising a plurality of undulations defined by a series of peaks and valleys, wherein the upper prong defines an overall curve that has a radius that is substantially equivalent to the radius of the curve defined by the lower prong; and a hinge aspect that connects an end of the lower prong to an end of the upper prong; wherein the overall length of the back pin hair fashioning device is in a range from 60 millimeters (“mm”) to 100 mm.
 2. The back pin hair fashioning device of claim 1, wherein the overall length is approximately 80 mm.
 3. The back pin hair fashioning device of claim 1, wherein a peak in the upper prong operates to define a space above the lower prong having a height in a range from 2 mm to 10 mm.
 4. The back pin hair fashioning device of claim 3, wherein the height of the space is approximately 5 mm.
 5. The back pin hair fashioning device of claim 1, wherein the distance between a pair of valleys in the upper prong is in the range of 5 mm to 25 mm.
 6. The back pin hair fashioning device of claim 5, wherein the distance between a pair of valleys in the upper prong is approximately 15 mm.
 7. The back pin hair fashioning device of claim 1, wherein when the upper prong is expanded away from the lower prong, a gap is defined between the lower prong and a valley of the upper prong that has a height in a range from 5 mm to 25 mm.
 8. The back pin hair fashioning device of claim 7, wherein the gap defined between the lower prong and a valley of the upper prong is approximately 15 mm.
 9. The back pin hair fashioning device of claim 1, wherein the hinge aspect comprises a diameter in a range of 5 mm to 25 mm.
 10. The back pin hair fashioning device of claim 9, wherein the hinge aspect diameter is approximately 15 mm.
 11. The back pin hair fashioning device of claim 1, wherein the cross-section of the lower prong is substantially a rectangle having a height in a range of 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm and a width in a range of 2 mm to 10 mm.
 12. The back pin hair fashioning device of claim 11, wherein the height of the rectangular cross-section is approximately 0.06 inches.
 13. The back pin hair fashioning device of claim 11, wherein the width of the rectangular cross-section is approximately 0.125 inches.
 14. The back pin hair fashioning device of claim 1, wherein the device is constructed primarily from a material selected from a group comprising stainless steel, carbon steel and plastic. 